§ 34. Ms WardTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from pensioner organisations on his Budget announcements on(a) the winter fuel allowance and (b) the minimum pension guarantee; and if he will make a statement. [79478]
§ Ms HewittThe announcement of the fivefold increase in the winter fuel allowance, which will give £100 to every eligible pensioner household this coming winter, and the decision to uprate the minimum income guarantee for pensioners by earnings rather than prices in April 2000, have been generally welcomed.